C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Chips/programers

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Old Dec 22, 2013 | 06:25 PM
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Default Chips/programers

New here I just got a 1996 auto that has the LT 4 conversion. I don't know anything about preformance chips/programers. Are they worth the 3-5 bills? If they are worth the money what are some good ones?
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Old Dec 22, 2013 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Blackopps
New here I just got a 1996 auto that has the LT 4 conversion. I don't know anything about preformance chips/programers. Are they worth the 3-5 bills? If they are worth the money what are some good ones?
I had one burned by Brian Harris in NC, TBICHIPS or something like that. He's a good guy, knows his stuff. Made a big difference in my C-4
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Old Dec 22, 2013 | 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Blackopps
I don't know anything about preformance chips/programers.
Your ECM has to be programmed in situ from a programmer or software from a laptop;
it doesn't have a removable chip

http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-mo...rogrammer.html

Originally Posted by Blackopps
Are they worth the 3-5 bills?
A search would have shown that most opinions on here are negative

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...r-for-lt4.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...od-or-bad.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...or-an-lt4.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ammer-iii.html
http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-mo...rth-money.html
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Old Dec 23, 2013 | 07:00 AM
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Unless you are tuning to compensate for engine component changes like cam, or compression changes it's not worth it. Simple tire height, gear, or fan temp changes can be done sending out the pcm to someone for about $150 to $200. Want to learn to tune?

http://moates.net/book-master-efi-tu...efi-p-266.html
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Old Dec 23, 2013 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by MrWillys
Unless you are tuning to compensate for engine component changes like cam, or compression changes it's not worth it. Simple tire height, gear, or fan temp changes can be done sending out the pcm to someone for about $150 to $200. Want to learn to tune?

http://moates.net/book-master-efi-tu...efi-p-266.html
I'd love to learn to tune. Mine was a LT 1 now it's a LT 4 just looking for more hp
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Old Dec 23, 2013 | 12:15 PM
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If all of the LT4 pieces are in the motor, that should have been a 30HP gain from the LT1. Did you swap in a complete LT4?

You might want to think about headers and a good cat back exhaust to start. That should not really require a "tune" and will provide more HP. You might consider a gear ratio change too. Go with something like the 3.45 gears that came with an LT4/6-speed car. That lower ratio will give you better acceleration in the A4 1st gear as the 6-speed is a 2.64 and 1st in the A4 was 3.06 The A4 OD ratio is something like .70 and 5th gear in the 6-speed is .74 So the 3.54 shouldn't hurt gas mileage.

In any event, if you are looking at further mods like a cam, heads, or similar bolt-ons, do those first then work on a tune.
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Old Dec 23, 2013 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by c4cruiser
If all of the LT4 pieces are in the motor, that should have been a 30HP gain from the LT1. Did you swap in a complete LT4?

You might want to think about headers and a good cat back exhaust to start. That should not really require a "tune" and will provide more HP. You might consider a gear ratio change too. Go with something like the 3.45 gears that came with an LT4/6-speed car. That lower ratio will give you better acceleration in the A4 1st gear as the 6-speed is a 2.64 and 1st in the A4 was 3.06 The A4 OD ratio is something like .70 and 5th gear in the 6-speed is .74 So the 3.54 shouldn't hurt gas mileage.

In any event, if you are looking at further mods like a cam, heads, or similar bolt-ons, do those first then work on a tune.
Thanks for the advice. As far as the motor goes the LT 1 was rebuilt to LT 4 specs.
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